The CCNA modified my lifestyle. This isn’t exaggeration or hyperbole. It began yet again in 2001, good proper in this article in Ottawa, copyright. I used to be instructing highschool Laptop science (Visible Basic!) and net layout (Macromedia!) when Cisco Networking Academy approached our school board to find out if we could possibly be concerned about getting to be a member in their fledgling plan.
I understood very little about networking then, nonetheless the persons at Cisco Networking Academy described that they might ship me to classes to generally be taught and earn something often known as the CCNA. Small did I do know that this perseverance would commence an unbelievable journey with Cisco.
Cisco 2500 collection router
Cisco 2500 Collection Router*
I used to be despatched yet again to highschool to find out how routers and switches perform, how to terminate Ethernet cables, the way to subnet, and what ISDN and Physique Relay were employed for. To arrange for CCNA certification, I discover Cisco Press textbooks, reviewed the Networking Academy’s CCNA written content materials, took use examinations, and manufactured labs on 2501 routers and 1924 switches the varsity had bought. (No, Packet Tracer wasn’t spherical yet again then!)
I at last took the CCNA examination in 2002. I used to be anxious, on the other hand I felt equipped to attempt my luck. Like plenty of you starting your CCNA journey, this was my initially time having a certification examination.
The examination had countless inquiries to reply in these a quick period of time—numerous-decision, lab simulations, drag-and-drops—it experienced all of it. And there was no yet again button! After I lastly clicked “Finish Evaluation” and discovered the “Congratulations” concept, I utilized to be surprised, thrilled, and so proud.
Passing the CCNA and also the Networking Academy Instructor coaching intended I might develop for being a Cisco Certified Academy Instructor (CCAI), entitled to start out out instructing my highschool faculty learners about Cisco networking. This was usually means higher than instructing them Visible Basic!
That a single willpower yet again in 2001 opened a great number of doorways for me. Many decades later, I grew to become a Cisco Licensed Programs Teacher (CCSI) licensed to offer CCNA and CCNP coaching having a Cisco Learning Associate.
Above the earlier number of several years, I’ve supplied at several Cisco conferences and obtained Distinguished Speaker standing throughout a number of Cisco Reside occasions in Melbourne, Amsterdam, and Las Vegas.
I’m now a Cisco Press writer, I’ve helped develop Cisco course content material https://dailyhealthinsight.com/ material like Implementing Cisco Enterprise Exceptional Routing and Providers (ENARSI) and Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Choices (ENSDWI), and I function for Cisco as an teacher and lead content product advocate in Researching & Certifications.
I not at all can have predicted the impact that decision in 2001 would've on my foreseeable future, even so I do are aware that I’m not by yourself. Countless Other individuals have competent the power of a Cisco certification, Using the CCNA standing the check of time considering the fact that its start larger than twenty years before.
This delivers us to The latest iteration of this foundational networking certification: the 200-301 CCNA v1.one assessment swap. It’s heading to arrive on August twenty, 2024, marking the principal adjust for the evaluation in 4 years.